SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WICS) — More than 2,000 students have enrolled in classes at the University of Illinois Springfield already this summer.
According to the UIS Admission's Office, a record breaking total of 2,312 students enrolled for the summer.
A closer look at the data shows that 75 percent of those students are ages 20 through 34 years old, half of them are part-time students; 37 percent of those students are taking their classes online, and almost all of them are currently pursuing a degree.
The Director of Admissions for UIS, Fernando Planas, says this is a trend he expects to continue.
"They're seeing that there may be some costs and they're unsure about what's going to be happening in the next year. And so they're much more careful in planning than perhaps I've seen in the past," said Planas.
Several students who have spoken with Planas have said that they prefer the summer school atmosphere more when compared to a Fall or Spring semester.
Planas believes the appeal for students comes as a result of the summer classes being condensed and a more relaxed feeling on campus.